single source

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   One origin or supplier that provides everything of a particular kind, such as income, information or parts.

   Grammar: Takes an article: a single source of funding.

   Patterns

   • a single source of something
   • rely on a single source

   The company relied on a single source for all its microchips.

   A single source of news can give you a narrow view of events.

   The village has a single source of drinking water.

2. 2adjectivebefore a nounbusiness

   Obtained from or depending on only one supplier or origin.

   Grammar: Used before a noun, usually with a hyphen: a single-source contract.

   Patterns

   • single-source supplier
   • single-source contract

   The agency awarded a single-source contract without a bidding process.

   A single-source supplier is risky if the factory closes.

   The report is criticized for single-source reporting.

3. 3verbtransitivebusiness

   To buy a product or service from one supplier only, without comparing offers.

   Grammar: Takes an object: they single-source the parts.

   Patterns

   • single-source something from someone

   The firm single-sources its packaging from one factory.

   We decided to single-source the software for the whole company.

   They single-sourced the steel to keep costs predictable.

Word forms

Common combinations

single source of truth

The database serves as a single source of truth for sales data.

single source of income

Relying on a single source of income can be risky.

single-source supplier

The single-source supplier raised prices sharply.

single-source contract

The single-source contract drew criticism from auditors.

rely on a single source

Do not rely on a single source when researching.

Synonyms and how they differ

sole source

Sole source is a close match and common in government contracts, with a stronger sense that no alternative exists.

only supplier

This is plain English for the same idea, less technical than single source.

monopoly

A monopoly describes a market controlled by one seller, while single source describes a buyer's choice to use one supplier.

Opposites

Word family

source noun

where something comes from

source verb

to obtain something from a supplier

sourcing noun

the process of finding suppliers

multi-source adjective

coming from several suppliers

Commonly confused: single source or sole source?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “single source”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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